SC Freiburg’s record-breaking goalkeeper Noah Atubolu is expected to return to the starting XI on Saturday when the Breisgau side take on Holstein Kiel in a key Bundesliga encounter with European qualification on the line, Footynaija.com reports.
The 22-year-old had been sidelined for a month with a shoulder injury but was named among the substitutes in Freiburg’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen last weekend.
Now fully fit, Atubolu is set to reclaim the No.1 jersey for the final away match of the season, with kick-off scheduled for 3:30pm BST.
Head coach Julian Schuster confirmed Atubolu’s return during his pre-match press conference. “He’s our number one. When he’s fit and confident, he’ll be on the pitch. That’s how it will be,” said Schuster.
The Freiburg boss also commended Florian Müller, who filled in during Atubolu’s absence, saying the deputy goalkeeper “did very well.”
Noah Atubolu set a new club (Freiburg) record for minutes without conceding a goal, surpassing 510 minutes vs RB Leipzig ❌
— SportyTV (@SportyTV_) March 8, 2025
Atubolu is eligible to play for Germany and Nigeria pic.twitter.com/r9YDMV1sIk
Atubolu’s return will be a timely boost as Freiburg push for a top-four finish and a coveted Champions League spot. Before his injury, the Germany U21 international had kept 10 clean sheets in 24 league appearances, conceding 33 goals.
His standout performances included setting a new club record of 510 minutes without conceding, surpassing Richard Golz’s mark from the 2001-2002 season.
Born in Germany to Nigerian parents, Atubolu remains a player of keen interest to Nigeria.
Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle is reportedly monitoring the young goalkeeper as Nigeria prepare to resume their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Nigeria boast the talents of Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye, Francis Uzoho, and several home-based goalkeepers but Chelle remains focused on adding more quality options to the national team.
